The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) yesterday announced the launch of BRIDGE, a modern, data-driven vendor registry platform designed to enhance procurement operations.
A release from the Bridgetown, Barbados-based bank said that it would also advance digitalisation, and fortify engagement with the private sector.
The new platform was described as a significant milestone in how the CDB connects with key partners including consultants, contractors, suppliers, and service providers whose expertise and services are vital to the Bank’s development mandate.
BRIDGE replaces CDB’s former Register of Consultants (ROCS) and expands its scope beyond consultants to include a broader range of vendors, including suppliers, contractors and consulting firms. The release said that BRIDGE provides a single, user-friendly platform where individuals and firms can create and manage profiles that showcase their qualifications, areas of expertise and project experience.
The platform is linked with CDB’s Procurement Publication Registry Database (PPRD), a new internal system that gathers and publishes procurement plans, procurement opportunities and contract award information for CDB-financed projects, including specialised programmes such as the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), as well as the Bank’s corporate procurement activities. The BNTF has been one of the major CDB projects in Guyana.
Through BRIDGE, registered users can:
· Receive notifications about procurement opportunities aligned to their expertise and interests
· Track and save opportunities of interest
· Access current procurement notices from CDB corporate and CDB-funded projects
Over time, BRIDGE will support the Bank in building a centalised database of private sector partners, strengthening market intelligence, due diligence capabilities.
The CDB said that it is important to note that BRIDGE does not serve as an electronic procurement system. Submissions for bids, proposals, or expressions of interest will continue to follow the processes outlined in individual procurement notices, the CDB added.
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